Q Poll: Obama's popularity slips

WASHINGTON -- Although a solid majority of America favors President Barack Obama, his popularity has taken a hit since he took office, according to the latest Quinnipiac University national poll.

The survey of 2,573 American voters found 59 percent approve of the job Obama has done in his first six weeks in office, while 25 percent disapprove. While not precisely comparable, Obama's popularity has slipped from polls done before his inauguration.

"The lofty numbers he enjoyed after his election are leveling off, largely because of declining support from Republicans," said Peter Brown, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute.

Brown blamed the drop in Republican support for Obama on his approach to resolving the nation's economic crisis. His political philosophy does not sit as well with Republicans, who tend to be wealthier and older than Democrats.

Overall, voters approve of the way Obama is handling the economy, 57-33 percent, but that support is strongest among younger and less affluent voters. The wealthy -- those living with household incomes above $250,000 -- disapprove of the way Obama is handling the economy by a 51-39 percent margin.

Obama is still viewed very favorably by swing voters -- those who voted for Bush in 2004 but turned to Obama in 2008. Those swing voters approve of the way Obama is handling the economy by a margin of 74-10 percent.

Brown said the swing voters could swing the other way if the economy doesn't improve, particularly since they tend to align themselves more with Republican economic policy values.

"It's a potential problem for him if he doesn't deliver," Brown said.

Obama, however, has the advantage of low expectations. About two-thirds of voters polled do not expect the economic crisis will be fixed in two years.

Half of the 2,573 voters surveyed were asked: "Do you believe the federal government will be able to fix the economic crisis in two years?" Voters said no 68-26 percent.

Separately, the other half were asked: "Do you believe President Obama will be able to fix the economic crisis in two years?" These voters said no 64-28 percent.

"They know this is a tough problem and don't expect to be back where we were in two years, but history tells us they want progress and that will be the key going into the 2010 elections," Brown said.

The poll also found voters support Obama's $75 billion mortgage rescue plan, even though two-thirds of them believe it is unfair to those who pay their mortgage on time. They believe 55-37 percent that the plan will stabilize home prices as the White House contends, Brown said.

Among other findings:

n Voters blame lenders more than borrowers for the mortgage crisis, 62-25 percent.